Over eight and a half years after the initial US invasion of Afghanistan the war is arguably the longest in American history. But despite the administration’s vague pretense of an exit strategy, Pentagon officials are emphasizing just how slow things are going.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal today conceded that the occupation of the tiny farming village of Marjah remains “a struggle,” nearly four months after it began. He also openly called for a rethink of President Obama’s July 2011 “handover” timetable, meaningless though that already was, adding that the war would continue “way beyond July 2011.”

Webmaster's Commentary:

One wonders if some folks in the Pentagon are considering the "kill them all, God will find His own" strategy here.

There were two primary outcomes desired in this war. The first (upon which one can accurately comment, "mission accomplished") was the control of the drug trade, which the Taliban had, under their watch, successfully suppressed.

The second was the "pacification" of Afghan nationals to the point where oil pipelines could be installed with which to control Eurasian oil. Nearly nine years on, the US and NATO are no where near achieving that objective.

Looks as though the US and NATO will be in Afghanistan permanently, at this point.